Making Predictions: Baby Boom Coming?

Cranes reach breeding age when they are 4 or 5 years old. They normally lay two eggs, but usually only one chick survives. Look carefully at the chart below and answer the following questions:

  1. In which year did the whooping cranes produce the most babies?
  2. In which year will these babies first start reproducing?
  3. In which year would you expect these babies to first produce a significant number of young?
  4. When these young start reproducing, assuming their winter food is doing well, what do you assume will happen to the population?
Winter Season
Adults
Young
Total

1995-96

130
28
159
1996-97
144
16
160
1997-98
152
30
182
1998-99
165
18
183
1999-00
171
17
188
2000-01
171
9
180
2001-02
161
15
176
2002-03
169
16
185


National Science Education Standards

  • Plants and animals have life cycles that include being born, developing into adults, reproducing, and eventually dying.



Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the
Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).